The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-09

VIC 1SShf0 rs eetk&eQ auERQri1t&IiFely Ds
the Federal and State decisions too nu-
merous for citation-
At the outset, We became impressed
with the Importance of securing, if pos
sibie, an uniform system of classification
of freight on all the roads in the State,
and in the preparation of the same the
general freight agents of the different
roads, upon the invitation of the Com
mission, convened in jackson aud gave
US the benefit of their suggestions. To
the extent that they eonformed to our
views they were adopted. We promul-
gated on the 3lst day of May, 1856, a
new classification prescribing the same
for use on such roads as were using the
Mississippi valley Joint Classification,
but those roads having eastern connec-
tions, and the Louisville, New Orleans &
Texas Railway, were authorized to con-
tinue the use of the Southern Railway
and Steamship Association Classifica-
ton, which is the same that prevails in
Alabama and Georgia, but is little used
by the roads north of us. A change in
classification of freight necessarily in
wolves the reduction of rates on some
articles, and an advance on Others, and
we determined for the present to author
ize the use of both systems, postponipg
until rates were established on more
stable and satisfactory basis any further
effort to secure complete uniformity.
We approved all the passenger tariffs
in use by the various roads, except the
Vicksburg and Meridian, the Mississippi
and Tennessee and the Noble and Ohio,
and these lines were reduced each TO
three cents per mile, the reduced rate
taking effect June 1st, 1856. The effect
of such reduction upon the income CT
these companies cannot be stated in this
report, but we confidently expect to be
able TO show in our next annual report
that while the reduction of income has
been ineonsiderable, because ofincreased
travel, a large amount has been saved to
the public thereby.
Freight rates have been reduced on
the Illinois Central, the Mobile & Ohio,
the Mississippi & Tennessee, the VieRs-
burg & Meridian, and the New Orleans
& Northeastern-the reduced rates APP
plying since the recent judicial decis-
ions to only local freight-that is, freight
shipped from one point to another In
the State. The reduction on the Hi
nois Central shows difference in the
rate now fixed from the local rate for
merly in use, of Is per cent, as the min
imum, and of 50 per cent, as the maxi
mum, and an average reduction consid
ering all classes of 33 per cent.
On the Mobile and Ohio, the average
reduction is % per cent. On the Missls'
sippi and Tennessee, s, and on the New
Orleans and Northeastern, about . per
cent. These reductions put the local
rates more nearly in line with the
through rates in use on these roads, al
though on some articles a disproportion
still exists. Prior to this revision, in
many instances it was enormous. To
give in detail the rates as established,
together with the pre- existing rates,
would make this report too volumi
nous.
All of the roads named were operating
the tariff OF charges rs established, ex
cept the Vicksburg and Meridian, at the
expiration of the period covered by this
report (September 80, 1866. The last
named road is in the hands of receiver,
appointed by Hon. r. A. Hill, judge of
the Federal Court of this State. What
has transpired since the Both of Septein
Der is not appropriate here, but will be
fully set forth in our next annual re-
port, which will cover that period.
On the 3Ist of March, 1886, we issued Il
calling the attention of the rail-
road companies to the requirements of
the law relative to bulletin boards at
stations, and to reception
rooms for passengers at all depots. The
officials of railroad companies have
manifested a cOmmendable
to secure the enforcement of
these police regulations. The bulletin
boards are now in use throughout the
State; aud changes and improvements
in reception rooms and depot accommo
dations have been made at various
points at our instance. The work having
been done since the period covered by
this report, is not for that reason set
forth here.
Having to inaugurate under many
difficulties the system of practical SUI
pervision in this State, we were occupied
nearly continuously at our Office at the
Capitol in Jackson until after the Both
of September. and were able to make in
spection prior TO that date of only one
railroad, the Louisville and Nashville,
which was done on the 10th of July last
We found that road in excellent condi-
ton. and the law observed as to bulletin
boards and reception rooms for passen-
gers. Since the 30th of September, we
have inspected all on the principal roads
in the State, but the result of such in
belongs properly to the next
report, which, under the law, will en-
brace she period fro'n September 80,
1886, to September 80, 1887. In that
report. which will be made before the
next Legislature convenes, we propose to
embody such statistical, historical, and
other information, (incIuding compara-
tive tables of freight rates) as will be of
interest to the Legislature and the pub
lie. During the year ending September
30. 1886. ninety-five miles of railroad
were constructed within this State,
miles being part of the
extension of the Yazoo and Mississippi
Valley Railroad, and twelve miles com
pIeted by the Gulf and Ship Island Rail-
road.
Work has been in progress on other
lines-notably, the. Memphis, Birming-
ham and Atlantic, aud the Gulf and
Ship Island-but none of the first
named road completed prior to September
80.
Section l3 of the act of March IL,
1884, creating the Railroad Commission,
requires every railroad company within
twenty-four hours after the occurrence
of any accident to a train attended with
serious personal injury on any portion
of its line within the limits of this State
ito give notice Of the same to the Rail-
road Commission, who, upon infOrma-
ton of such accident, may repair or
despatch one or more of their number to
the scene of said accident, and enquire
into the facts and circumstances thereof,
which shall be recorded in the minutes
of their proceedings, and embraced in
their annual report" We are gratified
to be able to state that only one such
accident has occurred, and we think
this statement greatly to the credit of
the management of the various railroads
in this State. During the heavy rains
of last spring, the wrecking train of the
Illinois Central road was thrown from
the track into a washout near Mont
gomery station, in Lincoln county, re-
sulting in the killing of the conductor
and fireman, and serious injury to the
engineer; Immediately upon the receipt
of the telegram from the railroad au-
thorities, informing the Commission Of
the accident, one of the Board repaired
d, the scene, and after investigation, re-
ported as follows:
aTo the Railroad Conqmissioners:-
Having been designated as a member
of the Com mmission to investigate the ac
cident to a train of the Illinois Central
Railroad near Montgomery station. re